Institute

Max Planck Institute for Social Law and Social Policy

In accordance with its interdisciplinary orientation the Max Planck Institute for Social Law and Social Policy examines socio-political issues from a legal and economic perspective. The Department of Foreign and International Social Law investigates, mainly by way of comparative research, the particular features of social law as an instrument for the implementation of social policy measures and as a special field of administrative law. The main focus is on systems that safeguard against social risks, such as illness, old age, long-term care, invalidity, unemployment and accidents, as well as systems that provide social aid and support. A systematic study of the principal developments in social law is of central importance. The emphasis here is primarily on three interlinked processes: reforms in the social security systems of developed countries, the Europeanisation and internationalisation of social law, and the establishment of social benefit systems in developing countries.The research of the Institute’s second department, named Munich Center for the Economics of Aging (MEA), focuses on those socio-political issues that are associated with demographic change and the aging of the population. Empirical models that base on German, European and global data and their resulting projections enable MEA to deliver sound scientific advice for economic and social policy. MEA is part of several international research networks and thus combines academic research on a high international level with strictly scientific policy consultancy. Both departments work together closely, particularly with regard to the effects of social law on economic behaviour patterns in Germany and abroad.